Learn About Section 8 Housing in Delaware

Section 8 housing in Delaware is available to anyone who makes below the median annual income level. The local housing authority will hand out vouchers that pay anywhere from sixty-five to seventy percent of low income housing rentals, with the household paying the remaining thirty to thirty-five percent. Vouchers are administered by the local housing authority (the PHA). The funding for these vouchers comes from the Housing and Urban Development (HUD) organization, which receives money from the government to fund DE low income housing for Section 8. More information on Section 8 can be found in the following sections:

  • Section 8 eligibility in Delaware
  • How to sign up for Section 8 housing in Delaware
  • Information about low income housing waiting lists in Delaware
  • Section 8 denials in Delaware

Learn About Section 8 Requirements in Delaware

“What are the requirements for Section 8 in DE?” Requirements for Section 8 eligibility are primarily the same in every state. To qualify for Section 8, an applicant must fall into the appropriate areas of income, household, and citizenship. The most difficult concept to understand about these three areas depends on how HUD defines the meaning of “household.” Any household that applies for Section 8 benefits must provide documentation for all of the members of the household, as well as submit to a criminal background check.

What are the qualifications for low income housing? Qualifying for Section 8 is not easy, as there are many different qualifications an applicant must meet. To qualify for Delaware low income housing rentals, legal documentation must be provided for all members of a household. Any applicant looking to apply for Section 8 must be a legal U.S citizen, or a legal resident. There are two income levels a household may fall into: low income, and very low income. Petitioners who fall into the very low income level will be given special priority. Others who qualify for special priority include the elderly, military veterans, the disabled, or women with young children or who are pregnant. Special consideration will also be given to candidates who were displaced from their homes due to natural disasters. Anyone in an applying household who has been convicted of selling illegal drugs or is a registered sex offender will be denied Section 8 benefits.

“What do I need to apply for Section 8 housing in Delaware?” is a frequently asked question for good reason. The amount of HUD documentation needed for Section 8 applications is extensive. An applicant must provide documentation not only for himself or herself, but for every member in the household, even if they are under the age of eighteen years old. To get low income housing, submit social security cards, driver’s licenses or birth certificates (for any household member under the age of 16), and any criminal records during the application process. Current contact information must also be provided, along with proof of household income. Proof of income may come in the form of bank statements or pay stubs. Previous rentals or any government assistance in the form of dollar amounts must also be documented.

Some may be asking “Do I qualify for Section 8 housing?” Despite how extensive and detailed the documentation and eligibility process is, it is not impossible. The only factors that could negatively affect a petitioner’s standing with Section 8 depends on whether he or she, or a family member, has been convicted of a felony, or has previous rental problems noted in rental history reports.

Learn How to Apply for Section 8 Housing in Delaware

To register for section 8 housing program benefits, a petitioner must fill out a few HUD forms. Directions for how to sign up for Section 8 in Delaware are clearly outlined on the applications. However, if an applicant needs assistance with the HUD Section 8 housing application, he or she may contact the local HUD office, and a representative will be available to help. Alternatively, an applicant can fill out an online application for low income housing if they have access to a computer. The instructions for the application are clearly stated on the screen to guide the applicant through the process. Once the application is submitted, there will be a two-week period in which confirmation or denial will be administered. If a candidate does not receive any word within these two weeks, he or she can check status for Section 8 application submissions with the HUD office where the application was submitted.

Learning how to apply for Section 8 housing in full is critical. Delaware Section 8 housing applications only allow one submission per year. If an applicant fills out any section incorrectly or includes false information, the application will be denied, and another may not be submitted for a whole year. Accepted applicants will receive an acceptance letter by mail stating that an applicant has either received a voucher, or will be put on a wait list until a voucher is available.

Learn About Section 8 Waiting Lists in Delaware

The DE Section 8 housing program application waiting list has information on all current applicants waiting to receive housing vouchers. Any applicant who wants more information about Section 8 waiting lists, or needs to check waiting list status for Section 8, should call or visit the local PHA office. A petitioner should also contact the housing authorities for any changes in information regarding Section 8. An applicant may be removed from the Delaware low income housing waiting list if his or her information not kept up to date.

Many applicants ask “When will the Section wait lists open?” when they have been approved for housing vouchers. The answer is that there is no annual schedule. If a petitioner finds his or her name absent from the Section 8 housing waiting list after being approved, he or she is urged to contact the housing authorities. Each county wait list has its own regulations, and some wait lists can be open indefinitely, while others have been closed for the past five years. To find out information for a specific county, call the HUD office residing there for further information.

Learn About Section 8 Denials in Delaware

Delaware Section 8 housing disqualifications are not uncommon for HUD housing applicants. A Section 8 denial letter will be sent to rejected candidates. What are the reasons for Section 8 denial? Sometimes, petitioners make mistakes completing the necessary forms, which can result in automatic rejections. An applicant may file a Section 8 denial appeal if he or she wants to contest the reasons for being denied housing benefits. The denial letter contains detailed instructions on what to do if a Section 8 application was denied. An appeal hearing will take the denied application and put it under further review. If an applicant needs further instructions regarding how to appeal Section 8 denial decisions, he or she is urged to call the local HUD office for additional instructions and assistance. A candidate may also seek legal counsel for further advice.

Website: Local Offices.

State: Delaware

Contact Information

  • Office Name/Address

    Wilmington Field Office

    920 North King Street

    Suite 404

    Wilmington, DE 19801-3016

  • Manager

    MARIA L. BYNUM

    Field Office Director

  • Phone/Fax

    (302) 573-6300

    Fax

    (302) 573-6259

    Email

  • Region/Regional Office

    Region III

    Philadelphia PA